Apple TV has grown up a lot since its iTV days. It’s not just for iTunes rentals anymore—Apple TV handles just about anything we watch, from House of Cards to Game of Thrones and Major League Baseball games, and now that includes 4K content.

Since Apple opened up its tiny streaming box to developers, it’s gone from fun to indispensable. With an extensive library of apps, Siri support, and a drop-dead simple interface, Apple TV is one of the underrated players in Apple’s lineup. Just like all those years ago, it’s still the device that “completes the story” of Apple’s entertainment ecosystem, and even without some of the bells and whistles of its competitors, Apple TV is still one of the best streaming boxes you can buy—from SD to HD to brilliant 4K.

And we’ve got everything you need to know about it, including any questions you have about the new 4K model. Whether you’re buying your first one or just want to learn a few more tricks, make sure to bookmark our guide to Apple TV and tvOS as we keep it updated with all the latest news, features, tricks, and tips.

In the box

Apple TVSiri RemotePower cordLightning to USB Cable

Pricing

32GB: $17964GB: $199

Note: It appears as though the 64GB model is in very short supply as of late December 2017. If you order one from Apple, it's likely that it won't arrive until the start of February 2018. The 32GB seems to be in full supply everywhere, though.

In the box

Apple TVSiri RemotePower cordLightning to USB Cable

Pricing

32GB: $14964GB: $199

Apple TV (4th generation) review

Apple last updated Apple TV in 2015, and at the time, we had this to say: “AirPlay is an extremely convenient way to mirror your Mac or iOS device’s screen to your television, and Apple TV is of course the only set-top box that can play content rented or purchased from the iTunes Store.” Read our full review.

Apple TV FAQ

Can I watch 4k content?

Mentioned in this article

What about HDR and Dolby Vision?

Yes and yes. But again, you'll need a new Apple TV 4K and TV that supports it.

What do I need to get started?

Pretty much all you need to buy is an HDMI cable. Any one will do, so stay away from high-priced cables.

Susie Ochs/IDG

Your Siri remote has a Lightning charging port, but don’t worry, you won’t need to use it very often.

How do I get 4K content?

If you have a Netflix subscription, you can can upgrade to the premium plan for $12 a month to be able to stream 4K content. Many Netflix original shows are offered in 4K, including Jessica Jones, Stranger Things, and The Crown, as well as many movies. You can also find 4K titles on Hulu and Amazon Prime (once it's available).

YouTube too?

YouTube's 4K content isn't supported on Apple TV yet. The culprit is Google's VP9 codec, which isn't supported. Apple hasn't offered a time frame for when it will be added.

What about iTunes?

Yes, Apple is selling 4K movies and TV shows through the iTunes Store. And they won't cost you any more. Apple had priced 4K movies the same as HD ones, and what's more, all previously purchased movies will be automatically upgraded to 4K for free.

Can I download 4K content?

Nope. 4K content can only be streamed.

Why aren't my Marvel and Star Wars movies streaming in 4K?

Disney has signed on to stream 4K content in iTunes yet, so you'll have to wait to watch Spider-Man Homecoming in 2160p.

Does Apple TV 4K support Dolby Atmos surround sound?

Not yet. Out of the box, Apple TV 4K supports the same Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound as the non-4K Apple TV, but Apple says Dolby Atmos is coming in a future tvOS update.

Does Apple TV 4K have any other new features?

You can also stream live sports and news from the ESPN, CNN and NBA apps, among others. Most services require a cable or a standalone subscription, but if you have one, you'll only need to ask Siri to watch the Warriors game or put on CNN to see what's happening live. Plus, there will be a dedicated tab in the TV app with live scores.

Are there any other differences between models?

In iFixit's customary teardown, it found the two models to be extremely similar but there are a couple minor differences. For one, the power supply in the 4K model is rated for 12V at 1.083A and the non-4K model is 12V at 0.917A. Additionally, there's a new user-replaceable fan on the 4K model with eight exhaust ports.

Why does the Siri Remote have a Lightning port?

The only change on the new Siri remote is a white circle around the Menu button.

The Lightning port on the Siri Remote is for charging. Depending on how often you use it, you shouldn’t have to plug it in more often than once every few months. To check the battery level, head over to Remotes and Devices inside the Settings app, select Bluetooth, and you’ll see a battery indicator next to Remote.

Is the Siri remote different on Apple TV 4K?

Technically no. But there is a visual change from prior models that aims to prevent people from trying to use it upside down: The menu button has a white circle around it. The new style remote also comes with the non-4K Apple TV.

tvOS FAQ

How do I know if I’m running the latest version?

You can check for software updates by heading to the Settings app and opening the System tab. Select Software Updates and scroll up to Update Software. If an update is available, you will be prompted to download and install it. You can also choose to turn on automatic updates.

What's new in tvOS 11?

tvOS 11 doesn’t bring any cool features like iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra, but there are a couple new things to try out. Among the usual performance enhancements, tvOS 11 features home screen sync (for keeping multiple Apple TVs on the same page), automatic dark and light mode switching, support for AirPods, and AirPlay 2.

How can I test out beta versions?

For the first time, Apple has included tvOS in the Beta Software Program, so you can download the latest version of tvOS 11 on your Apple TV right now. To get it, you’ll first need to sign up for the beta program at Apple.com if you haven’t already as part of the iOS or macOS betas. Then, head over to the Settings app on your Apple TV and find System. Open it, select Software Updates, and click Get Public Beta Updates to turn on over-the-air downloads. Select the Agree button and then scroll up to Update Software. Finally, click Download and Install, and wait for your Apple TV to restart.

How is AirPlay 2 different from Airplay?

The original AirPlay was essentially an easy way to get content from you iOS devices to your TV screen. With version 2, AirPlay has expanded its capabilities. You can now stream audio to multiple sources, meaning your Apple TV will act as a hub that lets you send music all throughout your house, not just your main home theater system. Additionally, your Apple TV can double as a AirPlay “speaker,” so you can send audio from your Mac or iOS device to your surround sound system with just a tap.

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It’s easy to download and install apps on Apple TV.

How do I download apps?

Just like on Macs and iOS devices, Apple TV has a dedicated store for downloading and installing apps. Select the App Store icon on your home screen, and you can navigate and search for apps like you do on your other devices. And they’ll all be designed to look their best on the big screen.

Is Amazon Prime Video available?

Not yet, but soon. Amazon has been one of the few holdouts on tvOS, but Tim Cook announced at WWDC that the video service would finally be coming to Apple TV. No timeframe was given, but presumably it will be available around the time tvOS 11 lands in the fall.

What’s Single sign-on?

With Single sign-on on Apple TV, you won’t have to repeatedly enter the username and password for your cable provider every time you want to watch an app that requires it. The list of providers it works with is lengthy, but missing most of the major players:

Blue Ridge

Cable ONE

CenturyLink Prism

Comporium

DIRECTV

Dish

Fidelity Communications

Grande Communications

GVTC

GTA

Hawaiian Telcom

Hotwire

Liberty Cablevision of PR

MCTV

MetroCast

Northland Communications

Service Electric

Service Electric Cablevision

Shentel

Sling TV

Vast Broadband

Vyve Broadband

Wave

WOW!

If your provider is represented, you’ll only need to sign in once and every app that requires a cable log-in will automatically be filled in with the appropriate credentials. If you’re a Comcast, Fios, Cox, or other subscriber not listed, you’ll still be able to store your username and password in Settings, but each app that requires it will still prompt you to sign in individually.

Is there a post-play option like Netflix?

If you’re a Netflix binger, you’re aware of the feature that lets you automatically jump to the next episode when watching a TV series. When the 4th generation of Apple TV released, it originally had a similar autoplay option, but it was removed in tvOS 10. So, if you want to sit on your couch and continuously watch a TV season purchased through iTunes, the only way to do it is to set up a playlist in iTunes and use Home Sharing to stream it.

But post-play is available in the Netflix app, right?

Yup. Select a TV show and it will automatically begin playing the next episode when it finishes.

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The TV app is like your cable TV guide, only more personal.

What’s the TV app?

The TV app landed late last year as part of the tvOS 10.1 update, and it serves as a sort of smart grid for the things you’re watching (or might want to watch). Inside you’ll find links to your purchases and rentals, things you might like, and whatever you’re in the middle of watching (like the latest episode of Game of Thrones, for example). However, you won’t find any original programming from Netflix represented in the TV app.

On my iPhone, TV replaces Movies and TV Shows. Why are they still on my Apple TV?

On Apple TV, the TV app functions as more of a guide than a streaming platform, so you’ll be shuffled off to the appropriate app when you find something you want to watch.

How can I play games?

Can I still stream games from my iPhone?

Yes! To turn on AirPlay Mirroring, swipe up from the bottom of the screen on your iOS device to access the Control Center, and tap the AirPlay icon to mirror the content to your screen. Then you can play the game as you normally would, using your iPhone or iPad as a controller.

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Siri’s smarts are on full display with Apple TV.

How do I use Siri?

There’s no wake command for Siri on the Apple TV, so you’ll need to press and hold the microphone button to speak to it. When you’re done, let go of the button and it will (hopefully) carry out your request.

What can Siri do?

Siri on Apple TV isn’t nearly as robust as it is on the iPhone, but it’s still a pretty useful companion. You can find content using a variety of criteria, including movie name, genre, director, or actor, and there are all sorts of things you can ask while something is streaming, such as, “What did she just say,” or “Skip ahead 10 minutes.” Additionally, you can control Apple Music, launch apps, check the weather, or get sports scores, as well as watch live content using Live Tune-in. You can find a comprehensive list of Siri commands here.

What’s Live Tune-in exactly?

Some channels that offer live streams can use Siri to quickly tune in to a broadcast. You can things like, “Watch ESPN live,” or “Show me the Warriors game,” and Siri will automatically switch your Apple TV to the in-progress stream. Supported channels include: